'Mixed emotion' for Cockburn as she just misses a medal

Karen Cockburn of Canada (L) reacts to the gold medal of Rosannagh MacLennan of Canada in the trampoline at the London 2012 Olympic Games, August 04, 2012.Jean Levac
/ Postmedia News

Rosannagh MacLennan of Canada won the Gold medal in Trampoline at the London 2012 Olympic Games, August 04, 2012.Jean Levac
/ Postmedia Olympic Team

Canada's Rosannagh MacLennan, from King City, Ont., performs her routine during the qualification round in the women's trampoline at the 2012 Olympic Games in London on Saturday, August 4, 2012.Ryan Remiorz
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Rosannagh Maclennan of Canada warms up during podium training for trampoline on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at North Greenwich Arena on August 2, 2012 in London, England.Ronald Martinez
/ Getty Images

Karen Cockburn of Canada warms up during podium training for trampoline on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at North Greenwich Arena on August 2, 2012 in London, England.Ronald Martinez
/ Getty Images

LONDON — The image was almost unbearably poignant. Thereshe stood in a virtually deserted mixed zone, alone, having broken down intears, apologized, turned and quietly walked away in order to compose herself.

On the television monitor six feet or so away, she thenwatched as the camera zeroed in for a close-up of her pupil, training partnerand pal, the girl she first saw as a bubbly eight-year-old at the Sky Ridersclub now all grown up, atop the podium as O Canada rang out inside the NorthGreenwich Arena.

The anthem she’d always dreamed of hearing playing forherself at an Olympic Games, and now never will.

Pride and pain. Achievement and regret. All there, in oneperson, silently staring at the flickering images on a screen.

“Fourth,’’ murmured Karen Cockburn later, choking back asob, “is the worst place to finish. But of course I’m happy for Rosie. So it’smixed emotions. At the end, I for sure thought I was going to be fourth. Andthen the Chinese competitor fell. Then I thought for sure I was going to bethird. Her routine was good, but it wasn’t that good. So when she fell Ithought she’d be below my score.

“So it was like up, down, up, down, then the results cameup and I was point-one out. Obviously, it’s a good day for Canada ... to win agold medal. But obviously I’m disappointed, too.’’

Cockburn’s Olympic odyssey ends with a silver and twobronze in four trips. When China’s He Wenna, the leading qualifier, fell on thelanding of her final trampoline routine — opening the door for Rosie MacLennanto claim Canada’s first gold at these Games — it seemed that Cockburn mightbenefit, too.

In her final Olympic endeavour, the sentimental favourite,that ending would’ve been just. But when Wenna’s score was posted, a 55.950, itcondemned Cockburn to fourth, a step off the podium, at 55.860.

In the aftermath, there were no angry recriminations ortortured wailings from the Canadian camp over the sordid injustice of it all.Just equal measures of surprise, confusion and regret.

“I am a little shocked the Chinese girl hung on to thirdplace so Karen got bumped down,’’ said Canadian coach Dave Ross. “Karen’sroutine was very nice, too. I thought it was a little bit underscored. But it’sa judged sport. And Karen, to be fair to the sport and the judges, is anathlete from another generation. At the end of her moves, she pikes a bit andthat’s sort of becoming passe. So it depends on how much they noticed it or howhard they deducted.

“Technically, there’s supposed to be no deduction. Butwhen you see other people holding their line longer, it’s easy to give them aslightly higher mark.’’

As ecstatic as MacLennan was on the defining day of herathletic career, and quite probably the most exciting day of her 23 years onthis planet, there had to be sadness, too. After all, the first person to hugher when Wenna’s score went up was the vanquished, and anguished, KarenCockburn.

“It’s definitely bittersweet,’’ said the new Olympicchampion. “Our dream was to both be on the podium no matter which way it was.We’ve been hugely supportive of each other in training. I know I wouldn’t bewhere I am in my athletic career without her pushing me, motivating me and guidingme. She’s had an amazing career. I wish she was still going. I couldn’t ask fora better training partner, friend, support system, roommate. Everything.’’

For Rosie McLennan, there will be other Olympicexperiences. She’ll be back four years from now to defend her title in Rio. Hermentor, confidante and friend will more than likely be at home, watching andcheering her on from a distance, along with the rest of the country.

“Usually, once you get home from the Games then you gointo your daily life,’’ Cockburn mused. “Everything’s routine again. You forgetabout the Olympics. Kind of like ‘Okay, it’s done. That’s kind of the way.Usually, I was always looking forward to another one. Well, after Beijing Ithought I was retiring, too.

“Obviously, I wanted to end on better than fourth. Butfour Olympics ... I’m happy with my overall career, I’m just not happy withtoday.’’

Karen Cockburn’s Olympic saga wasn’t supposed to end thisway. She was supposed to be the one atop the podium, to complete thethree-color set, finally hearing that anthem play for her. And Rosie, hertalented charge, was supposed to be there alongside her.

It would have been a lovely story.

Still, Cockburn can leave the sport with the unshakableknowledge that her legacy is assured.

“She’s the first medallist for Canada, ever, intrampoline,’’ said Ross, who’s been there from the beginning. “She’s been constantlyon the top, and on the podium almost every competition she’s gone to. Shereally puts us on the map. But also ...” And here it was his turn to struggleto maintain his composure, and find the words — “ ... because she’s so nice andso helpful to people. She’s such a good person. So with all that, just a reallygood ambassador for the sport. And, it goes without saying, an amazing, amazingathlete.’’

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